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Becoming Scientists

Inquiry-Based Teaching in Diverse Classrooms, Grades 3-5

"Most important to being a good science teacher is holding the expectation that all students can be scientists and think critically. Providing a thinking curriculum is especially important for those children in diverse classrooms who have been underserved by our educational system."— Becoming Scientists

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"Most important to being a good science teacher is holding the expectation that all students can be scientists and think critically. Providing a thinking curriculum is especially important for those children in diverse classrooms who have been underserved by our educational system."— Becoming Scientists

Good science starts with a question, perhaps from the teacher at the start of a science unit or from the children as they wonder what makes a toy car move, how food decom...read more

"Most important to being a good science teacher is holding the expectation that all students can be scientists and think critically. Providing a thinking curriculum is especially important for those children in diverse classrooms who have been underserved by our educational system."— Becoming Scientists

Good science starts with a question, perhaps from the teacher at the start of a science unit or from the children as they wonder what makes a toy car move, how food decomposes, or why leaves change color. Using inquiry science, children discover answers to their questions in the same way that scientists do—they design experiments, make predictions, observe and describe, offer and test explanations, and share their conjectures with others. In essence, they construct their own understanding of how the world works through experimentation, reflection, and discussion.

Look into real classrooms where teachers practice inquiry science and engage students in the science and engineering practices outlined in the Next Generation Science Standards. Rusty Bresser and Sharon Fargason show teachers how to do the following:

Respond to the needs of students with varying levels of English language proficiency

Manage a diverse classroom during inquiry science exploration

Facilitate science discussions

Deepen their own science content knowledge

As the authors write in the book, "Inquiry science has little to do with textbooks and lectures and everything to do with our inherent need as a species to learn about and reflect on the world around us." Join your students on a journey of discovery as you explore your world via inquiry.

About the Author(s)

Rusty Bresser first became interested in teaching while doing anthropological research on children and families in a rural farming community in French Polynesia. His interest in applied anthropology led him to the Teacher Education Program at the University of California, San Diego.

Sharon Fargason is a classroom teacher at Fay Elementary School in San Diego, California. She is interested in fostering and growing the natural curiosities that children develop as they learn about and interact with the world. She also teaches literacy and math methods courses to graduate students at Brandman University.